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Writer's pictureSt James Dandenong

Sunday 16th July 2023 – Seventh Sunday After Pentecost

REFLECTION:

No condemnation! (Romans 8:1-4)

I don’t know if you’ve noticed but, just like in chapter 5, our passage today

begins with a “therefore”. The question is, what is this “therefore” there for?

I think this is the climax of the book of Romans – we’ve basically reached

the top of the summit we’ve been climbing for seven chapters. So far, we’ve

seen that we’ve been justified through faith in Christ and that we have

therefore peace with God through him (we’re reconciled with God), which

is a positive affirmation. Today, we’re going to see that there’s no

condemnation for those who are in Christ (its negative counterpart). But

how is that possible and for what purpose?

That’s what we're going to see briefly this morning:

-A liberation (v. 2): If there’s no condemnation for those who are in Christ,

it’s because they’ve been set free from sin and death.

-A substitution (v. 3): If there's no condemnation for those who are in Christ,

it's because Christ was condemned in their place.

-A new direction (v. 4): Believers have been set free by their substitute to live

in a new way, which is the way of the Spirit.

Question to think about: Which way are you living and is Jesus your Lord

and Saviour or is he just your Saviour?




HYMNS

MP 301 Guide me O thou great Jehovah

TIS 457 The church’s one foundation

MP 272 I have decided to follow Jesus

MP 708 To God be the glory



INTERACTIVE SESSIONS ON FORGIVENESS

In Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis writes: "Everyone says forgiveness is a

lovely idea, until they have someone to forgive." He's right! The question of

forgiveness is actually very complex. Not only is forgiveness difficult to

define but it's also hard to put into practice, especially when the person who

has wronged us doesn't acknowledge their faults or is no longer there to do

so. And are we always called to forgive unconditionally anyway? In Mark

11:25, Jesus says that we should but in Luke 17:3, he seems to say the

opposite: "and if there is repentance, you must forgive." What are we

supposed to think (and do)?

In our Growth Group this term, we're about to start a series of interactive

sessions on forgiveness including a roadmap to forgiveness to help us

understand what forgiveness is all about and put it into practice in a biblical

way. Feel free to join us! We'll meet on Wednesday (7:30-9pm) in the

fellowship room from the 28th of June.



PATRONAL FESTIVAL. SUNDAY 23rd JULY

We will be celebrating our Patronal Festival next Sunday followed by our

International lunch, after the 10am service in the Church Hall.

Cost $5 per person

Team Leaders

Asian Naomi and Dave

Sri Lankan Joyce and Dev

Sudanese Oyem

Indian Rose

Australian Keith

British Jenny

Mauritian Nicole

Sth African Lorraine

South Indian Manjul

Italian Julia

Please note, you can decorate your table on Saturday 22nd

between 6pm and 8pm OR after 8am on Sunday.

Please only Bluetac to be used.

If you have any queries, please speak to Margo on 0419888426



FELLOWSHIP LUNCH

Our next lunch is on Wednesday July 19 at 12 noon Dandenong Club.

Please add your name to the list in the porch or contact Doreen 0439795386



READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY

23rd July – 8th Sunday after Pentecost

Genesis 28.10-19a; Psalm 139.1-11, 23-24; Romans 8.12-25; Matthew

13.24-30, (31-33), 36-43



LAWN MOWING ROSTER

14th July Heinz & Vic

21st July Oyem & Rob



This week we continue to pray for

Mike; Mark; Clovis; Rose; Eva; Cecil; Stanley; Nigel; Russell; Josie, Kevin; Joanne, Eve, Lynette, Danny, Esme, Michael, Charles, Edward, Tyrone, Gwen, Sylvia & Dr Nathan





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